Approval of Records
March 19, 2001
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 26, 2001
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 26, 2001 in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. . Chairman Filledes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Tassos Filledes, Jonathan Freedman, Henry Haugland, Irene Kessel,
Diane Packer
Members Absent: Kristine Van Amsterdam
Others present:
N. Jerome Goldberg Superintendent
James Connolly Assistant Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
Community Members, Staff,
Parents & Press
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Freedman moved for approval of the minutes of February 12, 2001. Ms. Packer seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PUBLIC SPEAK
Chairman Filledes asked if anyone wished to come forward for public speak. Ms. Karen Leese questioned when the presentation on the Arts Program would be presented and if there would be an opportunity for the public to speak. Dr. Goldberg indicated that a report would be given at the meeting of March 19, 2001.
PERSONNEL
The following personnel actions were presented:
RESIGNATION: Professional Staff
MaryBeth Kinkead, Elementary teacher at Johnson School since September 1991 and currently on a leave of absence. Resignation effective January 25, 2001.
RESIGNATION: Support Staff
Debra Caplan, Teacher assistant at Wilson Middle School since February 1, 2001. Resignation effective at the end of the day on February 16, 2001.
EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Professional Staff
Michelle Blair, Grade 6 teacher at Kennedy Middle School since August 1996. Maternity leave of absence is effective May 29, 2001and extends through the 2001-2002 school year.
CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT: Support Staff
Mary Johnson, to be school-year secretary to the Athletic Director and Director of Physical Education/Health effective February 26, 2001. Ms. Johnson has been serving as school-year secretary in the main office at Natick High School.
APPOINTMENTS: Support Staff
Kristy Dandurand, to be teacher assistant at Memorial School effective February 12, 2001. Salary, Step 3
Lisa Spencer, to school-year secretary in the main office at Natick High School effective February 20, 2001. Salary, Step 3
APPOINTMENTS: Professional Staff
Joshua Gray, to be Assistant Director in the After School Activities Program at Wilson Middle School effective January 22, 2001. Salary, $16.00 per hour.
Francesca Adelman, to be Instructor in the After School Activities Program at Wilson Middle School effective January 30, 2001. Salary, $10.00 per hour.
Elizabeth Robbins, to be Instructor in the After School Activities Program at Wilson Middle School effective January 30, 2001. Salary, $10.00 per hour.
Meghan Moriarty, to be long-term substitute science teacher at Natick High School effective March 12, 2001 to the end of this school year. She is replacing Natasha Stevens who will be on a maternity leave. Salary, $123.00 per day.
PRESENTATION ON ACT TEAM
Ms. Bernadine Small, Principal of the Brown School, and Ms. Debbie Mitchell, Kindergarten Teacher at the Brown School, gave a presentation on the process used by the Act Team (Assisting Children and Teachers). They explained the process by using a hypothetical first grade student as their example.
REPORT ON SUBCOMMITTEES
Ms. Broekel reported that the Natick Education Foundation is sponsoring a debate for the Town Selectmen race and for the School Committee candidates on March 14th at the Morse Institute Library. In addition, the Natick Bulletin is sponsoring a debate on March 7, 2001 also at the Library.
TO APPROVE REQUEST FROM NADAC TO CO-SPONSOR THE AFTER THE PROM PARTY
Dr. Goldberg, on behalf or NADAC, requested the School Committee’s approval to co-sponsor the 14th Annual All Night After the Prom Party, which is being held on Friday, May 18, 2001. Ms. Broekel moved for approval for the School Committee to co-sponsor this event. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Mr. Connolly reported that members of the Middle School Building Committee are here this evening and the Chair of the Committee, Mr. John Ciccariello, would be providing an update. Mr. Connolly stated that a general public meeting will be held later this month at the Wilson Middle School with parents, staff members, community members and abutters to review the plans for the new middle school. Mr. Ciccariello reported that the Middle School Building Committee held its 13th meeting this evening and they are very satisfied with the plan that the architects have come up with, both functionally and programmatically. Mr. Ciccariello reported that he anticipates that the final plans will be submitted to the SBAB in early June, and put out to bid sometime in July with construction beginning in November. Mr. Ciccariello introduced Mr. Scott Dunlap of Architecture Involution who reviewed the site plan and the floor plans. Mr. Dunlap responded to questions from the Committee and the
public.
TO APPROVE EDUCATION SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL
The School Committee was provided with the Education Specifications for the new Wilson Middle School which will be submitted to the Department of Education School Building Assistance Bureau. Ms. Broekel moved for approval of the specifications as outlined by Mr. Scott Dunlap of Architecture Involution. Mr. Freedman seconded. They were unanimously approved.
PRESENTATION OF YOUTH BEHAVIOR SURVEY
Mr. Kirk Buschenfeldt, Director of Health and Physical Education, provided some background information of a Youth Risk Behavior survey that was conducted last year in Natick to students in grades 7-12 in collaboration with Social Science Research and Evaluation, Inc. (SSRE), a non-profit social science research firm located in Burlington, MA. He introduced members of the Natick Health Advisory Council who were present as well as Mr. Wayne Harding and Ms. Michele Cummins from Social Science Research and Evaluation, Inc. Mr. Harding and Ms. Cummins presented the findings of the survey which focused mainly on risky and healthy behaviors with questions ranging from alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, vehicle-related risk behavior; violence and safety; stress, suicide behavior, sexual behavior,
and dietary behavior. Mr. Buschenfeldt indicated that this survey will be conducted every two years in order to study the trends and to alter and/or provide appropriate programs where necessary.
APPROVAL OF OPERATION RECOGNITION
Dr. Goldberg discussed a request made by John MacGillivray, Town of Natick Veterans’ Services, to participate in Operation Recognition, a program sponsored by the Department of Veterans’ Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The purpose of the program is to award high school diplomas to those veterans who left their high school without the benefit of a diploma to serve their country during World War II. Mr. Haugland moved for approval of this program. Ms. Broekel seconded. It was unanimously approved.
NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Dr. Goldberg discussed a newsletter he hopes to produce and mail quarterly to all Natick Households, providing a summary of the major issues underway in the Natick Schools. Newsletter printing and distribution will be entirely funded by discrete underwriting sponsorships. Mr. Haugland moved for approval on the newsletter. Mr. Freedman seconded. A discussion continued. Ms. Broekel moved for approval to table the item to a future meeting. Mr. Haugland seconded. It was unanimously approved to table the item to a future meeting.
The Policy Review was postponed to the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
N. Jerome Goldberg
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
Attest:_______________________________
| 
